Montgomery County deputy charged with hitting inmate

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A Montgomery County sheriff's deputy was charged with official misconduct and assault after he was accused of unlocking an inmate's door and hitting him.

According to indictments, Mario Pearrie, 26, is accused of using his power as a jailer to unlock the jail cell where an inmate was being housed and causing injuries by striking the man on June 16.

Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson said Pearrie was placed on administrative leave while the case was investigated. Following the investigation, Pearrie's employment with the sheriff's office ended on June 23.

Investigators from the sheriff's office presented the case to the grand jury in August.

“We take every incident that occurs in our facility very seriously," Fuson said Monday. "The fact that this incident involved an employee of this office has no bearing on our obligation to uphold the law."

Pearrie was arrested Saturday and charged with official misconduct and assault. He was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and released on $10,000 bond.

Pearrie gave a St. Louis address.

Reach Reporter Stephanie Ingersoll at singersoll@theleafchronicle.com or 931-245-0267 and on Twitter @StephLeaf